Chapter 12

"Well, Kid," Lom said, clapping him on the shoulder, "What are you and your partner aimin' to do now?"

Curry smiled and put his left arm around Maddy's shoulders. "Not sure yet, Lom. Heyes is the one with the plans and he hasn't thought one up yet. If he had, he didn't tell me about it. But I do know one thing for sure; that we've gotta stay right here for another year and keep out of trouble. I have a funny feelin' that it's gonna pay off." He looked at Maddy with a smile and gave her a squeeze.

"Don't you realize that you've got to get permission from the father first?" Horace said, smiling at the Kid. He had joined the small circle to congratulate the boys on their good fortune. He cocked his head in the direction of the front door; the one that Heyes just walked out of. "If I didn't know any better, I'd swear that there's going to be one wedding for sure."

The Kid smiled. "He's been searching for Morgan for a little over ten years. I don't think he's going to let her get away this time. You never know; might just be a double wedding…" His voice trailed off as all eyes focused on the new arrival.

"Excuse me, everyone, I really hate to break up this little celebration…"

"Something wrong, Billie?" Lom asked his wife, walking toward her.

They retreated to a corner of the room where no one else could hear them.

Meanwhile, the Kid made his way to the window and couldn't believe his eyes. His partner was in trouble. He had to do something. Heyes always looked out for him when they were boys and Curry never forgot that.

"Morgan?" Heyes called into the darkness. "Answer me, please."

"Don't you take another step," a voice called out behind him. "Just raise them hands of yours."

"Hank?" Heyes answered, recognizing the voice. "Hank Miller, isn't it?"

"Now how did you ever guess?"

"I'm sure there's a reason for all this," Heyes said, as he heard the gun click.

"We're splitting up," Lom said as he and Billie broke apart.

"Billie and I will go down to the mine. She's says she's heard something over there."

"Lom," the Kid said, "Hank Miller's holdin' a gun at Heyes' back. I think I'd better see what it's about."

Lom nodded. He turned to Horace and handed him a small pistol. "Always carry an extra gun, Horace. Never know when you might need it. Go find Morgan."

"Heyes," Morgan yelled, as she struggled with Winston's gun. "Heyes, I'm at the back of the house.'

She watched as he turned his head toward her voice.

Winston shook his head. "Now don't you be callin' him now."

"Let go of it, Winston," she answered, still struggling with him. "It's gone on for too long now. Give it up."

She had misjudged him all along. She just hadn't realized how strong he was or how much he had cared about her. She had taken him for granted, taken him for the fool that he…..

"Put the gun down, boy," a voice called from the door.

Winston looked up and saw his father standing there, Lom's small pistol in his hand, pointed straight at him.

Morgan lost control of the gun. It went off, grazing her arm and hitting Horace in the stomach.